Soundgarden
Music Video Kids Reflect on Appearances in Iconic Clips: ‘It Was Pure Luck’
Before MTV would be rendered extraneous, record labels would fork over millions for bands and artists to produce memorable music videos that helped build anticipation for an album’s release and propel its sales. The music video became an invaluable promotional tool, and over time, as directors continued to push the limits of what was possible in three to five minutes, the medium evolved into something of its own art form. Today, music videos are largely a lost art, with more skin than substance — more elaborate dance numbers than elaborate storylines. Some of the most memorable videos during the height of the MTV era featured children, and we wanted to know where they are now. SPIN tracked down some of our favorites to see what they’ve been up to since making their marks in some extre...
The 35 Best Albums of the Last 35 Years
Let’s face it: With most “Best Albums” lists, you know the broad strokes of the ranking before you even click. Part of that predictability is understandable: Most iconic records earn their reputation. But these rankings shouldn’t be fossilized, and a shit-ton of amazing LPs have been shoved aside in the pursuit of maintaining the status quo. We didn’t ignore the unimpeachable on our list — you’ll see plenty of the staples you’ve come to expect. But we also hope we’ll spark your curiosity and encourage you to hunt for a title you may have missed over the last 35 years. 35. Bruce Springsteen – Tunnel of Love (1987) CREDIT: Columbia Records How does one follow up a rock album that recalibrates stadium sound systems and offers a stark look at hard times in America? With love songs, of course. ...
The 35 Best Videos of the Last 35 Years
SPIN launched in the peak MTV era, when an innovative — or even just salacious — music video could make or break an artist. Thirty five years later, YouTube is an obligatory part of any promotional push, but no one’s counting on a mind-blowing clip to sell a record. (The views do often matter — just not always the creativity.) A sizable chunk of the best videos came out during the ‘90s alternative bloom, when directors like Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry and Hype Williams experimented with the style and substance of this malleable medium. But the format hasn’t died with MTV: artists like Childish Gambino, Kendrick Lamar and Miley Cyrus all made this list for a reason — and it wasn’t to meet a decade quota. Here are the top 35 from the last 35. Ready or not, here we go again. – Ryan Reed 3...
The Pretty Reckless Cover Soundgarden’s ‘Loud Love’
The Pretty Reckless have been pretty open about their appreciation for Soundgarden. And earlier this fall, they showed their love for one of Seattle’s greatest with a cover of “Loud Love,” off the band’s 1989 sophomore record, Louder Than Love. Lead singer Taylor Momsen initially performed the song live with the surviving members of Soundgarden at “I Am the Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell” concert last year. But then the Pretty Reckless recorded their own rendition for Octane’s “Home Invasion” festival in September. The Pretty Reckless and Soundgarden have had a working relationship since 2017 when they played Soundgarden’s 2017 spring tour — right before Chris Cornell’s passing. Momsen joined forces with Matt Cameron, who’s currently in Pearl Jam, on “Halfway There,” off Soundgarden’s...
Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon Members Honor Chris Cornell With ‘Rusty Cage’ Cover
A collection of revered rockers — singer William DuVall of fellow Seattle rockers Alice in Chains, Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante, guitarist Bill Kelliher of Mastodon and bassist Mark Menghi — collaborated for a version of the classic Soundgarden cut “Rusty Cage.” At the start of the video, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil even offers his endorsement of the cover version. Menghi, of the band Metal Allegiance, explains how the collab came together: “Bill and I were talking and one of us brought up how fun it would be to cover a Soundgarden tune, so we decided to do one. At the same time, Charlie and I were wrapping up a few songs and I told him Bill and I were speaking of doing something so he naturally joined in on the fun.” And fun it is. But of course, choosing a vocalis...
Kim Thayil Says Brandi Carlile’s Version of ‘Searching With My Good Eye Closed’ ‘Sent Shivers Down’ His Spine
Yesterday marked the second Record Store Day drop, which included one of the year’s most anticipated releases: A Rooster Says, Brandi Carlile’s 12″ LP that includes versions of “Black Hole Sun” and “Searching With My Good Eye Open” recorded with Soundgarden’s surviving members. “Black Hole Sun” was chosen after Carlile performed it with guitarist Kim Thayil, drummer Matt Cameron, and bassist Ben Shepherd, along with Peter Frampton, for the Chris Cornell tribute I Am the Highway in January 2019; however, the Seattle-bred singer-songwriter picked the second song herself, and Cameron and Thayil couldn’t be happier. “That was Brandi’s choice and it was a good one,” Cameron told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. “‘Searching With My Good Eye Closed’ is one of Chris’ g...
Brandi Carlile Previews Soundgarden Collaboration Ahead of Record Store Day Drop
One of the most anticipated releases of the second Record Store Day Drop is Brandi Carlile’s collaboration with the surviving members of Soundgarden. She first performed with the group at the Chris Cornell tribute I Am the Highway in January 2019, but this is a far different beast. Carlile recorded two of the band’s songs, “Black Hole Sun” and “Searching with My Good Eye Closed,” in November 2019 with the band in Seattle and now we finally have a small glimpse of what’s to come when it’s actually released this Saturday. The singer-songwriter shared a teaser on her Instagram (with the awesome art that channels Badmotorfinger), which you can hear/see below. Last week, Carlile shared a haunting version of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World,” which was perfectly suitable for 2020. Carlile a...
Kim Thayil Reflects on Soundgarden’s Early Days, ‘Teary-Eyed’ Chris Cornell Benefit Show
Following Chris Cornell’s 2017 death, Soundgarden founding guitarist Kim Thayil has been the group’s most visible and voluble member, the key player in both interviews and live performance tributes. Thayil recently spoke to Kerrang! about the band’s early days, nothing that at first, Soundgarden was known as “the Asian band.” “What people don’t recall is that for the first half-year we were ‘the Asian band.’ It was Hiro [Yamamoto, bassist] and I – a Japanese dude and an Indian dude – and Chris was the drummer. Seattle didn’t have that overt segregation, but it didn’t need to. It was primarily white. There were a few African Americans and Asians, but not many.” As an early Seattle success story, Soundgarden was also an anomaly in terms of attitude when it came to dealing with...
The 25 Best Soundtrack Albums of the 1990s
In the 1980s, music and film collided for cross-promotional blockbusters both transcendent (Purple Rain) and transcendently cheesy (Footloose). In the ‘90s, soundtracks continued to sell in the millions, capturing cultural moments like the Seattle grunge of Singles or the Britpop and electronica of Trainspotting. Auteurs like Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson reached deep into their record collections to set the mood while movies like Above the Rim and Menace II Society pioneered the concept of soundtracks as hip-hop mixtapes. A great soundtrack can propel an unsuccessful single, like Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose,” to the top of the charts, or revive a decades-old hit, like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It can also push a cult singer-songwriter like Elliott Smith or Aimee Mann to an Oscar perf...
Chris Cornell Biopic Currently in Production
Black Days, a film based on the last days in the life of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who died in 2017, is currently in production, according to the film’s website. Filming is slated to begin Sept. 10. The site also states, “from the cast of the Academy Award-winning Walk the Line comes a based on true events story,” citing Johnny Holiday, who played Carl Perkins in Walk the Line, as associated with the Black Days project, presumably in the role of Cornell. AmeriFilms LLC/Road Rage Films will produce the biopic, according to film industry publication Backstage. That publication’s casting page indicates Black Days is looking for actors to play roles including “Young Chris: Male, 12-16;” “Doctor, 61-18;” “Hotel Maid: Female, 18-55;” “Road Manager Male, 25-55″ and other...
Cherie Currie and Brie Darling Cover Soundgarden’s ‘Black Hole Sun’
Former Runaways frontwoman Cherie Currie and musical partner Brie Darling have released a cover of the Chris Cornell-penned Soundgarden hit “Black Hole Sun” to benefit the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation. Currie explained in a statement why she and Darling wanted to be involved in the project: “[Chris’] artistry shows in everything he touched. He loved people more than he loved himself. There will never be another Chris Cornell.” “Immediately, I knew the song I would like us to do, my favorite…’Black Hole Sun!’ I felt Cherie’s and my voices would work well on his beautiful and haunting melody. I love her and my different sounds and styles that work so well together. What a gift and inspiration, Chris’ talent was truly special,” Darling added. Cornell’s Foundation was formed in late...
Watch Toni Cornell Cover Pearl Jam’s ‘Black’
Toni Cornell, daughter of late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, covered Pearl Jam’s “Black” during the Lolla2020 livestream on Thursday. She performed a socially distanced, acoustic version of the Ten classic that was faithful to the original version. The free Lolla2020 stream, replacing the canceled Lollapalooza festival, will air July 30 to August 2 on YouTube. The event will feature over 150 archival and original performances and performances — including the first major reunion in over 20 years from Perry Farrell’s Porno for Pyros. The Chris Cornell estate honored the singer on July 20, what would have been his 56th birthday, by releasing a previously released cover of Guns N’ Roses ballad “Patience.” The song was tracked in 2016 at Los Angeles’ Henson Studios whi...
